Track-weeder.



D. A. CHISHULM.

TRACK WBEDER. APPLICATION rILBD APR. 29, 1910.

Panam-,ea 0@t.4`,1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

@Mgg/MM40 D. A. GHISHGLM.

TRACK WEEDEP..

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1910.

Patented Sct.4,1910.

6 SHB'BTS-SHEBT 2.

D. A. CHISHULM.

TRACK WEEDER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 29, 1910.

Patanted 06h41, 19M).

5 SHEBTS-SEEBT 3.

D. A. GHSHOL'/L TRACK WEEDER.

APPLGATION FILED APR.29, 1910. @yx Patented Oct. 4, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

` I y J? D. A. CHISHOLM.

TRACK WEEDER.

APPLIQATIDN FILED APR.29,1910.

9?2,058 Patented 0013.4, 1910.

FME.

if nii:

atenas.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oet. a, 1ero.

Application led April 29, 1910. Serial No. 558,345.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL AUGUSTINE ,CHIsHoLnn a born American citizenof the United States, residing at Gilby, in the county of Grand Forksand State of North Dakota, have invented new and useful Imrovements inTraCk-VVeederS, of which the ollowing is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in weeders and more particularlyto the type employed for removing Weeds from railways.

One object of the invention is the provision of a weeder provided withmeans for removing weeds from the ground lying beyond the opposite endsof the cross tiesand further provided with means for removing the weedsfrom the spaces between the cross ties and on either side of the rails.

Another object is the provision of a wheeled support provided with aplurality of weeders and a motor for operating the weeders andpropelling the support.

A still further object is the provision of a means whereby the supportmay be propelled and the weeders rendered inoperative.

A further object is the provision of a support provided with a pluralityof weeders and means connecting the weeders withA the support andoperating to yieldiugly hold the weeders in engagement. with the groundso that when uneven places are met with the weeders will yieldautomatically, whereby jarring of the support and inability of thewceders to remove weeds from depressions will .be eliminated.

A still further object is the provision of a means for moving theweeders upwardly and out of engagement with the ground whenever desired.

lVith these and other objects iu view, which will more fully hereinafterappear, the present invention consists in certain novel details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointedout in the appended claims; it being understood that various changes inthe form. proportion.v

size. and .minordetails of the device may be made, within the scope ofthe appended claims. without departing from the spirit or sacrificingany of the advantages of the in rentiou.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification Figure1 is a plan View of the device. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig.3 is a front end View. Fig. 4 is a sectional end view on the line 4 4 ofFig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is alongitudinal sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1 and looking in thedirection of thearrows. Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation partly insection of the means for yieldingly holding the movable shaft weeders inproper position.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to designate correspondingparts throughout.

The rails of the track are designated by the numerals 5 and 6, and thecross tiesv connecting the said rails by the numeral 7 The deviceforming part of the subject matter of the present invention comprises asupport, the said support including in its construction a pair of spacedaxles 8 and 9, to the opposite ends of which are secured fianged wheels10 to bear upon the rails 5 and 6. The wheels and their axles support abody which includes a pair of sides 11 and 12, the said sides being.rovided with boxings 13 to receive 'the axles 8 and 9, the said sidesbeing connected by means of a platform 14.

Positioned on the platform 14 and to one side of the central linethereof and adjacent to the rear end of the platform is a hydrocarbonmotor designated by the numeral 15, the main shaft of this motorextending toward the longitudinal central line of the platform anddesignated by the numeral 16. Depending from the lower face of thepla'tform 14 and located at the middle and on opposite sides of thelongitudinal central line thereof are a pair of hangers 17 and 18, thelower ends of which are provided .with boxings 19 and 20 in which areliournaled the opposite end portions of a. shaft 21, considerably lessin length than the distance between the rails 5 and G. It will be seennow by reference to Figs. 1, 8 and 1 of the drawings that keyed to themiddle portion of the shaft 21 is a sprocket wheel Q2, and keyed to thefree end portion of 'the main shaft 16 of the motor is a similarsprocket 23 in alinement with the sprocket 29., connection between saidsprockets being established by means of a sprocket chain 24.

By referring again to the drawings and more especially 'to Figs. 1, 2, 3and et it will be seen that keyed adjacent to one end of the shaft 21 isa. sprocket 25. Journaled in boxings 26 and 27 arranged on the upperface of the platform 14 is a shaft 2 3, one end of which extends to apoint adjacent to the shaft 16 of the motor and is provided with asprocket wheel 29 in alinement with the sprocket wheel 25, connectionbetween said sprockets being established by means of a sprocket chain30. The sprocket wheel 29 is keyed on the shaft 28 and journaled on theshaft and adjacent to the sprocket 20 is a similar sprocket 37 the hubportion of which is provided with a clutch member 31. Splined on theshaft 28 is a clutch collar 32. An upstanding rack is designated by thennmeral 33 and fulcrulned on this rack isv an intermediate portion of alever 34, the lower end of which is provided with an inwardly extendingpin 35 which is received by an annular groove 36 formed in the clutchcollar 32. Thus it will be seen when the shaft 28 rotates and the clutchsurfaces of the collar and member are in engagement that the sprocketwheel 37 will be also rotated. Keyed to the axles 8 and 9 are sprocketwheels 38 and 39, in alinement with the sprocket wheel 37 and trainedover the sprockets 37, 3S and 39 is van' endless sprocket chain 40,which serves to rotate the wheels when the clutch surfaces of the collar32 and member 31 are in engagement and thus propel the support.

Extending beyond the rear end of the platform 14 and located at theopposite'sides thereof are a pair of boxings 41 and 42 and journaled inthese boxings are the opposite ends of a horizontally disposed shaft43.Keyed to the intermediate portion ofthe shaft 43 is a` sprocket wheel44, and keyed to the shaft 21 and adjacent to the end thereof reiiotefrom the sprocket wheel 25 is a similar sprocket wheel 45, in alinemen'twith the sprocket wheel 44 and trained over these sprockets is anendless sprocket chain 46.

1With this construction it will be manifest when the hydro-carbon motoris in operation that movement will be imparted to the shaft 21 throughthe sprocketchain 24 and as before described similar movement will beiinparted when the clutch surfaces are in engagement with the bearingwheels and so also will rotary movement be imparted to the shaft 43through the sprocket chain 46.

By referring now to F ig. 1 it will be seen that slidingly fitted in theforward end of the platform are a pair of slide bars 47 and 43. Theslide bars 47 and 48 are arranged in a transverse groove in the forwardend o f the platform and are held against displacement by means ofguides 49 and 50,- which are shown to be formed of single pieces ofsheet metal and bearing on the npper sides of the slide bars. vThecombined lengths of the slide bars are somewhat arabes A. pair of framesare shown to include side bars 53 correspondin .in length toapproximately one-half the ength of the platform 14. The forward ends ofthese side bars 53 are provided with lateral tubular extensions 54 whichreceive the free ends of the slide bars 47 and 48, and it will beevident with this construction that the side bars may be movedvertically on the slide bars 47 and 48 as pivots. The frames arelikewise provided with side bars 55, the latter at their rear ends beingVconnected to the side bars 53 by means of transverselyl disposed shafts56 and 57, the said shafts being journaled in the side bars 53 and 54and having their in ner ends extending beyond the inner facesof the sidebars 53. The forward end portions of the side bars 55 are offsetinwardly as shown at 53, and are terminally secured as shown at 59 tothe forward end portions of the side bars 53, the. said side bars 53 and55 being further connected at their medial portions by cross bars 6()and 61 arranged in advance of the shafts 56 and 57 l :3y reference nowto Fig. 4 it will be seen that the opposite end portions of the shaft 21are bifurcated so also are the inner ends of the shafts 56 and 57.Connection between the shafts 56 and 57 and opposite ends of the shaft21 are established by means of shaft sections 62 and 63, the oppositeends of which are bifurcated similar 'to the shaft sections 21, 56 and57. The bifurcated ends of the shafts are connected by cross-shapedcouplings 64 of well-known construction the" terminals of saidcross-shaped couplings-acting as trunnions which are loosely fitted inopenings in the bifurcations of the shaft. With this construction itwill. be manifest that universal joints are establishedl between theshaft sections'56 and 57 and shaft 21.

The shafts 56 and 57 carry the Weeders and if desired the said shaftsmay be longitudinally grooved similar to the shaftum 65 shown in Fig. 5,these grooves receiving the' weeder prongs 66 which are 4preferablyformed of strips of sheet metal bent iipon themselves at theirintermediate portionsand insertible into the grooves' and held thereinby means of strips 68.

It might here be stated that the -shaft Sections 62 and 63`extendtopoints adjacent to the opposite ends of the cross ties/7 and by virtueof the widths'of the frames before described it will be evident that theweeders carried by said frames will operate on the surface beyond theopposite ends of the cross ties so that durinv the operation of thedevice the weeds will be removed from the surface beyond the oppositeends of the cross ties.

In order to prevent the weeds uprooted by the weeders just describedfrom being tossed upwardly the side members and 55 are at their rearends provided with hinged extensions 67 and 68, the rear ends of whichare connected by cross bars 70. Secured to the extensions 68 and 69 arehoods 71 and 72, which overlie the upper and rearward segments of theweeders and act as deiectors or guards for the weeds thrown upwardly bythe weeder-s.v The cross bars are provided with sweepers 78 whichoperate to gather the uprooted weeds into piles, of certain dimensions,it being evident, owing to the pivotal mounting of the sections 67 and68 that the said sections will move upwardly to permit disengagement ofthe sweepers from the weeds after the latter have gathered the weedsinto piles of required dimensions.

The shaft 48 at the rear end of the platform is provided at its oppositeends with sprockets 74 and 75 and projecting downward and rearwardlyfrom the opposite end portions of the shaft 43 and located between theboxings 41 and 42 and between the sprockets 74 and 75 are hanger arms 76and 7 7, the rear ends of which are connected by the shaft 65, beforedescribed. The opposite ends of the shaft 65 extend beyond the outerfaces of the hanger arms 76 and 7 7 and are provided with sprockets 78and 79 in alinement with the sprockets 74 and 75, connection between thesaid sprockets being established by means of sprocket chains 80 and 81.

When it is understood that the width of the platform 14 correspondsapproximately to the length of the cross ties it will be evident thatthe weeder-s on the shaft 65 will operate in the spaces between thecross ties on either side of the rails, thus removing the weedstherefrom.

From the foregoing it will be manifest when the hydro-carbon motor is inoperation that the device may be propelled thereby and the weedssimultaneously removed from the surfaces before stated. In practice,however, I deem it better to couple the device with a tool car or thelike driven by a locomotive so that when working through thick patchesof grass and weeds the strain will be taken from the engine.

lVhcn theV device is being taken from the yard or shop to the requiredplaceon the road to remove the weeds, it is evident that better resultswill be obtained by lifting the weeders from engagement with theground.`

In order to accomplish this result 'and at the saine time to provide aconstruction whereby weeders will be yieldingly held in engagement withthe gro-und when in operation the following is employed :w I

By reference now to Fig. 2 it will be seen that rising from the centralportion and adjacent to the rear end of the platform 14 is a bracket 82and journaled in this bracket is a shaft 83 to which is fixed a bellcrank lever, the arms of which are designated by the numerals 84 and 85.The arms 84 and 85 are of considerable lengtln'the arm 85 extendingrearwardly vto a point overlying a cross piece 86 which connects theintermediate portions of the hanger arms 76 and 77, connection betweenthe extremity of the said arm 85 and cross piece 86 being established bymeans of a link 87, the opposite ends of which are provided with eyesthe upper eyes receiving' an eye bolt 88 and the lower a rod 89 securedto the cross piece 86. The opposite arm 84 of the bell crank extendssubstantially vertically upward, the bell crank being operated in amanner to be presentlv described.

Positioned at the forward end and at the central portion of the platform14 is an air cylinder 90, in which is slidingly fitted a piston notshown, the latter having a piston rod 91 extending towardthe rear end ofthe platform. The free end of the piston rod 91 is provided with a crosshead 92 which is mounted on a guide 93 and pivoted to the cross head 92is one end of a connecting rod section 94. Straddling the free endportion of the arm 84 of the bell crank is a stirrup 95, and looselyfitted in the stirrup 95 is a connecting rod section 96, one end of thesaid rod section having an enlarged head (not shown) which limitsoutward movement of the connecting rod section. The opposite end of theconnecting rod section is screw-threaded as shown at 97, and the end ofthe connecting rod section 94 remote from the cross head 92 isscrewthreaded as shown at 98. The sections 94 and 96 are connected by aturnbuckle 99 threaded onto the screw-threaded port-ions 97 and 98.Encircling the section 96 with its opposite terminals bearing on one endof the turnbuckle and intermediate portion of the stirrup 95 is ahelical compression spring 100. lVith this construction it will bemanifest when air is admitted into the cylinder 90 through avalve-controlled cock 101 arranged adjacent to the working end of thecylinder that the piston rod 91 will be moved toward the head end of thecylinder, whereby the bell crank will be rocked and the weeder at therear end of the device lifted from engagement with the ground. The airsupplied to the cylinder 90 may be taken direct from the air line oftheengine, a relief valve 102 being located adjacent to the opposite endo'f the cylinder and serving to permit the air to escape when it isdesired to lower the weeder.

By virtue of the loose connection between the section 96 and stirrup 95it will be evident that a yielding upward movement of the rear weederwill be permitted whichv will be found advantageous when passing overuneven places in the road, the spring 100 acting to yieldingly hold theweeder in engagement with the ground. The means employed for lifting theside weeders Y and 55 connection between said arms and cross piecesbeing established by means of links 109, the opposite ends of which areprovided with eyes which receive eye bolts 110 and 111 secured vto theextremities of the arms 108 and cross pieces 60 and 61. rFransverselydisposed air cylinders 112 and 113 are positioned on the opposite sideportions of the platform and are provided with piston rods 114 and 115,the inner ends of which have pistons not shown, and the outer Vends ofwhich are provided with cross heads 116 and 117. It will be understoodthat the piston rods 115 and 116 extend in opposite directions andconnection between the said cross heads and arms 108 is established bymeans of rod sections 118 and 119 similar to the rod sections 94 and 96,it being understood that the said rod sections 118 and 1.19 areconnected by turnbuckles 120. The sections 119 are connected with thearms 107 by meansof stirrups 121, and encircling the sections 119 andbearing on the stirrups and turnbuckles are the opposite ends of helicalcompression springs 122. With this construction it will be manifest whenairfrom the t-rain line is admitted to the cylinders 112 and 113 throughcocks 123 located adl jacent to the working ends of the cylinders thatthe rods will be forced inwardly, whereby the side weeders will beraised from engagement with the ground, since it will be remembered thatthe side bars 53 turn on the slide bars 47 and 48 as pivots.

By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the frames carrying the sidesweepers are held against lateral movement by means of braces 1,24 and125, the opposite ends of which are pivoted to the sides of the platformand side bars 53.

In order to -hold the shaft sections 62 and 63 properly positionedduring the operation of the-side weeders the following construction isYemployed: i y

By reference now to Fig. f1 it will be seen that the shaft sections 62and 63 have their intermediate portions journaled in collars 126 and127, and extending radially from diametrically opposite points on thecollars are pins or trunnions 128. vertically disposed cylinders' 129extend through the platform 1st and adjacent to the opposite sidesthereof and slidingly fitted in these cylinders are piston rodsilSO.rThe lower ends of the piston rods are bifurcated and straddle thecollars 126` and 127, the said bifurcations being provided with openingsto receive the pins 128. The inner ends of the piston rods 130 areprovided with pistons 131, and encircling the rods and having theiropposite ends bearing on the pistons 131 and working ends of thecylinders are helical compression springs 182.' With this constructionit will be manifest when the side weeders pass over depressions vthesprings 132 will be compressedowing to the downward movement of theweeders and shaft sections and will operate to return the shaft sectionsto their normal positions when the weeders move out of the depressions.

From the foregoing, it is evident that l have provided a device which iscomparatively simple in structure and inexpensive in manufacture,embodying few parts and these so arranged that the danger of derangement will be reduced to a minimum.

1. In a track weeder, the combination with a wheeled support; of apivoted frame, a rotary weeder carried by said frame, an extensionhinged to the frame for movement relative to the latter, said extensionbeing provided with a brush located to the rear of the weeder, for thepurposes described.

2. In a track weeder the combination with a wheeled support; of a framepivotally securedto one side of said support, a rotary weeder carried bythe frame, an eatenn sion hinged to the rear end of the frame formovement relative to the latter, a brush carriedby the extension, and ahood carried by the extension and overlying a portion of the weeder.

3. ln a track weeder the combination with a wheeled support, a motorarranged on said support, and a shaft driven by said motor; vof a weederpositioned beyond one side of the frame to operate on the surface beyondthe end of the cross ties of the track, and a shaft having its oppositeends pivot-ed to the weeder and the Asaid shaft, for 'the purposesdescribed.

et. 1n a track weeder the combination with a wheeled support, a motorarranged on said support, and a shaft driven by said motor;

section serving to yieldingly hold the latter against movement relativeto the first-named of a weeder positioned beyond one side ofthe support,a shaftv section having its vopposite ends universally connected to oneend of the Weeder and the first-named shaft, and means for yieldinglyholding said shaft section against movement relative to the first-namedVshaft and the Weeder.

5. In a track Weeder the combination with a wheeled support, a motorarranged in said support, and a shaft driven by said motor; of a rotaryWeeder positioned beyond one side of the support, a shaft section havingits opposite ends connected for universal movement to the Iirst -namedshaft and weeder, and a reciprocating member carried bythe support andconnected with the shaft shaft and weeder.

6. A track weeder comprising a support, a pair of horizontally disposedslide bars adjustably secured on one end of the support, frame membersarranged on thev opposite sides of said support, each having anelongated side journaled at one end in the outer end of one of saidslide bars, and rotary weeders carried by said frame members.

` 7. A track Weeder comprising a Wheeled support, a plurality of Weederspivotally 'connected to one end of the support and positioned to operatebet-Ween the cross ties on either side of the rails, means for movingsaid Weeders upwardly from engagement with the ground, a plurality ofWeeders pivotally connected to opposite sides of the l support andpositioned to operate on the lsurface beyond the opposite ends of thecross ties of the track, Ameans for moving the last-named Weedersupwardly from engagement with the ground and in planes at right angles.to the plane of movementlof the first-named weeders, and a motor carriedby the support for simultaneouslyy rotating all of said Weeders andpropelling the=sup port.

8. A track Weeder comprising a Wheeled support, a plurality of Weederspivotally connected to rone end of the support positioned to operatebetween the cross ties on eitherside of the rails, means for moving saidweeders upwardly from engagement with the ground, a plurality of Weederspivotally connected to the opposite sides of the support and positionedto operate on the surface beyond the opposite ends of the cross ties ofthe track, means for independently moving the last-named Weedersupwardly from engagement with the ground and in planes at right anglesto the plane of movement of the first-named Weeders, and a motor carriedby the support for simultaneously rotating all of said weeders andpropelling the support.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DANIEL AUGUSTINE GHISHOLM.

WVitnesses:

H. B. MURPHY, HENRY OLSON.

